Effect of Organic Trace Minerals Supplementation on Production Performance for Broiler: A Review

Abstract

The global poultry industry is expanding rapidly, but broiler production in tropical regions continues to face major challenges such as heat stress, suppressed immunity, reduced growth performance and increased mortality. Organic trace minerals (OTMs), particularly zinc, selenium, chromium, copper and manganese, have gained prominence as superior alternatives to inorganic mineral sources due to their higher bioavailability, lower antagonistic interactions in the gut, improved retention and reduced environmental excretion. This review synthesizes current findings on the role of OTMs in enhancing broiler growth, feed efficiency, carcass characteristics and overall health. Evidence consistently shows that OTMs improve nutrient absorption, antioxidant status and immune function, contributing to higher body weight gain, better feed conversion ratio, improved performance index and reduced mortality, even under tropical heat stress. Although total carcass yield may remain unchanged, OTMs enhance carcass quality by improving meat cuts, feathering and skin integrity. Their combined supplementation, especially with Zn, Se and Cr, supports metabolic efficiency and strengthens resilience against oxidative and environmental stressors. Overall, OTMs offer an effective and sustainable nutritional strategy for optimizing broiler performance and environmental stewardship. Further research is needed to determine optimal inclusion levels, synergistic combinations and cost-effective formulations for commercial poultry systems.